When President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino forced then-Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Nicanor Bartolome into retirement prior to the 2013 mid-term elections, little did he know that Bartolome’s replacement would also be pressured to retire early in 2014. Yes, the current PNP Chief Alan Purisima is being eased out to make way for his would-be successor to take over in time for the 2016 presidential elections. That was the same reason why Bartolome was pushed out the door; that is, to make way for Deputy Director General Purisima to take over police matters at the soonest to prepare for the May 2013 elections, which makes one wonder: Why was it necessary to elevate Purisima to the top job when P-Noy could have allowed Bartolome to stay on the job until the ban on appointments during the election season had passed, which was just a few weeks after Election Day. Why the rush? Could it be because of Purisima’s close personal relationship with P-Noy while Bartolome’s relationship with P-Noy was purely professional?

It is interesting to note that Purisima’s ties with the Aquinos go back to the time of P-Noy’s late mother and then-President Cory Aquino, whom Purisima served as a member of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

Friend and protector

P-Noy shows bullet wound.

But what sealed the strong bond between P-Noy and Purisima was when P-Noy’s vehicle was ambushed near Malacañang on August 28, 1987. It was said that Purisima was part of P-Noy’s security convoy when it was ambushed by rightwing rebels led by then-Colonel (and now-Senator) Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan. Five bullets hit and wounded P-Noy, but three of his bodyguards were killed. And who would have been the “best” replacement for Bartolome but someone whose ties to him were as tight as the Gordian knot? But “best” didn’t necessarily mean possessing unmatched qualifications and unquestioned integrity.

Purisima’s “vacation house” in San Leandro, Nueva Ecija

When Purisima started his stint as PNP Chief, he seemed to be doing just fine and staying out of trouble. But barely a year on the job, allegations of irregularities and corruption surfaced. And when pictures of his “vacation house” in Nueva Ecija made it to the front page of major newspapers, all hell broke loose!

Immediately, Purisima’s friend and protector — P-Noy — came to his rescue and vouched for his character, saying that Purisima is “not capricious” despite the so-called “White House” inside the PNP compound where he resides and the pompous “vacation house” in San Leandro, Nueva Ecija and his fleet of expensive cars that he purportedly purchased at a discount. Built on a 4.7-hectare estate, Purisima’s “vacation house” includes a separate pavilion, separate four-car garage with quarters, a huge swimming pool, and luxurious features and amenities. Purisima claimed that his property was valued at P3.7 million as declared in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN); however, his complainants say that the property’s actual price could be more than P50 million. The question is: How did Purisima amass such wealth when his salary was only P107,000 a month?

In spite of P-Noy’s defense of Purisima, some powerful people want his head chopped. And these are people who belong to P-Noy’s Liberal Party (LP). They want him to retire early to accommodate another member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1981 to which Purisima belongs, which begs the question: Why do they want to get rid of Purisima one and a half years before the 2016 elections? Could it be that his incompetence and expensive lifestyle might hurt the LP during the campaign that they want him out of the limelight?

Scandals galore

“Hulidap” cops arrested.

One of the scandals that is eroding the people’s confidence in the PNP is the widespread “hulidap” cases where an increasing number of police officers are involved in kidnapping for ransom activities. Purisima is perceived to be too lax in stopping these criminal activities in the police force.

Another scandal was the controversial renovation of the “White House,” which is Purisima’s residence inside Camp Crame. What is being questioned was the source of the P25 million Purisima used to upgrade the White House. He claimed that three donors contributed “building materials” while some sources said that Purisima’s fellow Masons donated the money.

Happier days: Erap and Chavit

But what is not being discussed today is: Who are the government officials – from the President down to the Barangay captains — who are receiving jueteng payolas? One President who had received jueteng payola was former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada who was exposed by his former “bagman,” ex-governor Chavit Singson.

In the early days of P-Noy’s presidency, allegations of jueteng payolas were made against then-Deputy Secretary of Interior and Local Government Rico Puno. The payolas were supposedly for P-Noy; however, Malacañang denied the allegations and that was the end of the controversy. But one thing that happened in P-Noy’s administration was that jueteng thrived. And according to many anti-jueteng activists, the PNP can stop jueteng in a day! But the order must come from the PNP Chief.

Happier days: Bartolome and Purisima.

While previous PNP chiefs were involved in scandals and controversies over the years, the degree to which they’re linked to criminal activities varies. But in the case of Purisima, in the short time that he’s been PNP Chief, he had waded into the murky waters of corruption. As of today, he’s facing three plunder and graft charges over his luxurious “vacation house” in Nueva Ecija, the questionable renovation of the controversial “White House” inside Camp Crame, and a scandalous deal with a courier service. However, like his predecessors, Purisima would most likely beat the charges against him, which begs the question: How do corrupt PNP officers pay for their betrayal of the public’s trust? As someone once said, “Nothing escapes the Law of Karma. You get from the world what you give to the world.” And thus far, Purisima has gotten a lot from the world but has yet to give back. That’s bad karma.

With all of the reports plus rumors swirling around him, PNP Director Purisima should take the initiative in submtting himself voluntarily to a thorough investigation by the Department of Justice.

If those reports and rumors about his being corrupt are false, he has really nothing to worry about being thoroughly investigated by the proper government authorities.

If he has been honest in his position as PNP Director, one has to assume that regularly on time he has submitted his Statement of Assets and Liabilities. It will then be easy for him to explain how he was able to acquire that reported mansion of his in Nueva Ecija. He will also need to explain how he was able to get people to donate materials for the construction of that “White House” of the PNP.

In short he should be willing to clear his name and do it as soon as possible because those reports in the media and those rumors are not going to stop anytime soon.

No excuses? You must have a lot of faith in these people. So far the only thing that’s been coming out of their mouths are excuses, denials and more excuses. The Binays and Pusirima could easily clear their names if they are truly innocent of these charges. Just tell the truth and explain where all those expensive stuff came from and how they are able to afford them base on their salaries.

Purisima, in his term ‘hulidap’ got invented as a buzzword, is a speck in the large world of what is wrong in the Philippine National Police and the military, where even junior cops and officers can amass unexplained wealth and expensive homes way beyond their salaries. Whereas Binay is a small pig in the vast piggery of political systems, where most politicians—ie Revilla, Jingoy, Enrile, Lapid et al—self-interest and making money is their sole interest, plunder and arrogant political power their reason in politics—instead of caring for the people.

The Philippines needs a transformative Leader to truly change the country—either a great President chosen by a wise electorate or a great Strongman brought about by a rising citizenry. Binay needs to reside in jail not to live in Malacanang as his loots of unexplained wealth is mind-boggling, and when millions of Filipinos live in blight and dirt, and even swim in dirty, toxic Manila Bay as their swimming pool.

Purisima, Binay, Revilla, Estrada, Enrile, Lapid are only some of the famous Filipino personalities why millions of Filipinos are suffering.

I totally agree…strongman like Lee kwan yu of Singapore..or Deng Xiao Peng of China..If a simple FOI (Freedom of Information Act) cannot be passed by Congress, then there is NO HOPE for the Philippines..I was born a Catholic but I do not trust everything to the Heavens..That is the tragedy of basically a good people..our people..most of our brethren relie on God to solve their problems.we need the DNA of Ping Lacson..Davao mayor Duterte..dictator Marcos..Pres. Magsaysay..Kennedy..Reagan all rolled into one person to transform the Philippines..and we do not have that person..where is He?

If there is a phrase “in aid of legislation”, there is also a phrase “in aid of investigation”.

Aside from COA representative, why not also summon BIR Chief Henarez to provide the investigating body tax (deficiency or not) examination results of prior years of the accused?

Even if the properties in question appear in SALN, was appropriate taxes paid on increase in Networth on a year to year basis?

Donated cash or donated materials are considered INCOME. Did the accused report this donation as INCOME and corresponding taxes are paid thereon?

Henarez, who keeps on running after Pacquiao’s taxes, is an authority in providing an aid to investigation on Purisima’s unexplained wealth…and that of Binay too, otherwise the investigation result will be as shallow as the mind of the investigators.

You see, the BIR is fond of sending “love letters” to taxpayers based on their initial tax review results. Were “love letters” sent to Purisima and Binay also in the past? These maybe considered as “in aid of investigation” too.